Liverpool boss Arne Slot. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images/Getty Images For The Premier League)placeholder image
Liverpool boss Arne Slot. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images/Getty Images For The Premier League) | Getty Images/Getty Images For Th
Liverpool and Everton have an important couple of months ahead of them on the recruitment front
Liverpool stormed to the Premier League title last season under the guidance of Arne Slot. He was picked as their replacement for Jurgen Klopp after catching the eye at Feyenoord in the Eredivisie and he has since adapted well to life in England. The Reds will be eyeing the title again in the next campaign amid expected competition from the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal.
As for Everton, they are preparing for move into their new stadium. This is an exciting time to be associated with the Toffees after they waved goodbye to Goodison Park. David Moyes has made a positive impression since stepping into Sean Dyche’s shoes.
Liverpool should pursue move for Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite
Liverpool have managed to secure a new deal for Virgil van Dijk recently. The Dutchman will be staying put at Anfield for the next two years running until 2027 which is a massive boost. However, he isn’t getting any younger and the need to start thinking about possible long-term replacements.
Step forward Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, who would be an ideal addition for the Reds. He has been a key player for the Toffees over the past couple of years and has bags of potential. His current club will be desperate to keep hold of him and won’t want to lose him to their rivals.
Liverpool would be able to offer the England international, who has one cap to his name so far, the chance to compete for titles and play in the Champions League. The 22-year-old will be good enough to play at the top level in the future and needs to weigh up what he wants to do next. In addition, he will surely have aspirations to play as high up as he can.
Branthwaite started his career with local side Carlisle United and progressed up through their academy ranks. He then went on to play nine times for their first-team as a teenager whilst they were in League Two. Everton were then alerted to his attention and they swooped in for him in 2019.
The Cumbrian-born man was loaned out to Blackburn Rovers and PSV Eindhoven to get some experience under his belt and boost his deveopment. Upon his return to the Toffees from the latter, he has become one of their most prized assets. He has made 86 appearances for them in all competitions, chipping in with four goals from the back.
Liverpool should offer Everton swap deal involving Ben Doak and Joe Gomez
Everton are unlikely to play ball with Liverpool over Branthwaite unless they were paying silly money. Therefore, the Reds should try and tempt them into selling by offering two players plus cash. Ben Doak and Joe Gomez seem the two most obvious individuals they could pick.
Doak, 19, is a bright young talent but is unlikely to nail down a regular starting place under Slot. That is because there is too much competition for his position from the likes of Mo Salah, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott. An exit over the next couple of months would help him get more regular game time.
The teenager came up through Celtic before playing twice for their senior team. Liverpool then lured him to Merseyside in 2022 and he has since played 12 matches. In addition, he has recently spent time away at Middlesbrough in the Championship and found the net on three occasions in 24 outings under the guidance of Michael Carrick, who has now been sacked.
Gomez’ career with the Reds has stalled a bit and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he departed for a change of scene. Everton would certainly be an interesting next destination for him but if they lost Branthwaite, it would leave a hole in their defence. The ex-Charlton Athletic man has been playing consistently at the top level for the last decade bar the last 12 months, so he fits the bill for Moyes.
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